| By :
Joe Maldonado
Copyright (c) 2011 Joe Maldonado It is highly probable that first person shooter (FPS) videogames are one of the most demanded and popular games in the whole world, and they are quite different than a shooting simulator. There is something about being alone with a gun trying to survive or kill a target; it is somewhat primitive and enticing at the same time. One of the first video games that really left a mark in our culture was "Duck Hunt", which was released in the mid 80's. It included its own fake gun to aim and shoot at the ducks that endlessly appeared on the screen. The idea of having a 'fake gun' and use it as a replica to kill whatever crossed your T.V. seemed really attractive to the public, and soon enough many other consoles started launching their own versions. However, some people saw beyond the entertainment that FPS videogames provided and started their own private projects, which ended up being the simulators. When comparing both, FPS videogames and simulators, we must first recognize the differences between those two. FPS videogames are designed for the mere and pure art of entertainment; they have a plot, interaction with the environment, objectives and so on. Nevertheless, game developers don´t forget about physics engines and graphics just because their product is designed to be fun. These games might include their own fake weaponry and a few add-ons to make the experience more real, but just a little bit. On the other hand, a shooting simulator sacrifices a lot of entertainment features that FPS videogames have in order to specialize in a more accurate and professional experience. The technology that is used in both cases is very different. Most of the time, FPS games do not use additional hardware (such as rifles) to boost the gaming experience, they simply stick with traditional game controllers to navigate through the game. The simulators use very specialized fake guns to give the user a more enveloping and realistic entertainment. So now that we have a general idea of the main aspects of both genres, a comparison is in place. As I said before, FPS games are made for entertainment. They can hone your reflexes and response skills during the several events happening on the screen. They are more fun, because you can relate to the story and the plot, but the professional realism won't help you practice your shooting skills. Simulators have been designed to recreate the reality of having a gun in your hands, aiming it at your target and shooting it. They have been so successful in recreating this that many government agencies have purchased the software so they will be able to train their personnel without exposing themselves to unnecessary dangers. Simulators may not be as fun as FPS games, but they can actually provide an education in handling guns, hunting and in some cases archery. If you are looking for something fun and exciting, but you have no intentions to ever grab a gun and use it, then maybe a simulator is not the best thing for you. However, a shooting simulator will be perfect for you if you are trying to get real practice with a gun.
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